Carmody receives endorsements for judgeship

In his pursuit of a Chester County Court of Common Pleas judgeship, Chief Deputy District Attorney Patrick Carmody’s candidacy has received a boost from recent endorsements.

Carmody was endorsed by the Chester County Police Chiefs Association and the Pennsylvania State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, to go with previous endorsements from the Chester County FOP and Chester and Lancaster County Police Lodge.

“I’m honored to be recognized by the various police organizations,” Carmody said. “What pleases me the most is that they pointed to my fair judicial temperament. It is something I pride myself on.

“For 30 years I have worked with police to keep our community safe. I will continue to do that as a judge by making fair decisions and treating them with dignity and respect.”

Carmody, a Republican candidate, has worked at the Chester County District Attorney Office since 1984, and served as first assistant district attorney from 2002-11. In November, he won the first death-penalty jury verdict in Chester County in nearly two decades.

The Police Association’s endorsement letter to Carmody said the organization made its decision by taking his qualifications into account, as well as his “reputation for being a fair and honest prosecutor,” and said he would “serve the citizens of Chester County with dignity and professionalism.”

While Republican candidates for judge have participated in five interviews with local GOP committee members leading up to Thursday’s party convention, the police recommendations did not involve individual sit-downs, according to multiple candidates.

“I have no comment on the process, because I wasn’t invited to participate,” candidate and local attorney Jeffrey R. Sommer said. “I don’t hold any rancor, but I can’t speak on the totality of the inclusion. All I can say is I was not approached, contacted, anything.”

Thursday’s Republican Committee of Chester County convention will include endorsement votes for Court of Common Pleas, county controller, county treasurer, clerk of courts and coroner. The convention starts at 7:30 p.m. at Fugett Middle School in West Chester.

Primary Election Day in Chester County is May 21, followed by municipal Election Day, Nov. 5.